On 1 June 1941 clothes rationing was announced as a result of the war with Germany, while food rationing had been introduced earlier on. The propaganda was upbeat under the banner Make Do and Mend, and Britain's favourite passtime queueuing was involved, but another national passtime, grumbling, soon followed. For example, civil war on the War Office was openly declared when in 1943 women weren't getting enough corsets yet men won their battle for turnups on trousers to make a long-wished-for come back. In a torrent of letters written all over Britain a roar of pointed moaning ensued. In Make Do and Send, Sam Taylor has gathered together the most arch, polemical, amusing and interesting letters on issues that enraged war-time Britain that will make anyone smile with its nod to Dads Army. It is an hilarious record of the stiff British upper lip that trembled with ill-concealed disgust whenever an injustice or unfair advantage was spotted. It is the perfect gift for any member of the family who enjoys a laugh at bickering.

本書は第二次世界大戦下の英国で、極限の制約に直面した人々が綴った不平不満の記録です。単なる歴史資料を越え、物資不足という逆境をユーモアと冷徹な批判精神で切り裂く英国気質の真髄が凝縮されています。コルセットやズボンの裾といった些細な問題に全霊を捧げる執念は、滑稽でありながらも、個人の尊厳を保つための切実な抵抗の証と言えるでしょう。 編者が選び抜いた書簡の数々は洗練された毒とウィットに満ちており、ページをめくるたびに、困難な時代を言葉の刃で生き抜いた市民たちの鮮烈な声が響きます。彼らの震える唇から漏れる痛烈な皮肉は、現代を生きる私たちにも、閉塞感のある日常を笑い飛ばす力強い活力を与えてくれるはずです。